That is right this moment’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s occurring on the earth of know-how.
Why recycling alone can’t energy local weather tech
The potential to make use of previous, discarded merchandise to make one thing new sounds a bit of bit like magic. This is the reason, in some circumstances no less than, recycling goes to be an important device for local weather know-how.
However there are huge challenges forward in materials demand for local weather applied sciences, and sadly, recycling alone gained’t be sufficient to deal with them. Our local weather reporter Casey Crownhart has taken a have a look at why recycling isn’t at all times the reply—and what else would possibly assist as an alternative. Learn the total story.
This story is from The Spark, our weekly publication masking local weather know-how. Join to obtain it in your inbox each Wednesday.
This robotic can tidy a room with none assist
The information: A brand new robotic system referred to as OK-Robotic may prepare robots to select up and transfer objects in settings they haven’t encountered earlier than. A robotic working the system, which makes use of publicly-available AI fashions, was in a position to decide up and transfer objects round a room with an 58.5% success charge—rising to 82% in rooms that had been much less cluttered.
Why it issues: Whereas robots could simply full duties like these in a laboratory, getting them to work in an unfamiliar setting is an actual problem. OK-Robotic may assist to plug the hole between quickly enhancing AI fashions and precise robotic capabilities, because it doesn’t require any further coaching. Learn the total story.
—Rhiannon Williams
Should you’re attention-grabbing in studying extra about residence robots, why not take a look at:
+ Right here’s why everybody’s getting enthusiastic about family robots once more.
+ This new system can train a robotic a easy family job inside 20 minutes. The Dobb-E home robotics system was skilled in actual folks’s properties and may assist clear up the sphere’s information downside. Learn the total story.
+ Watch this robotic prepare dinner shrimp and clear autonomously. Even low-cost {hardware} can carry out advanced duties, and AI helps robots get smarter nonetheless. Learn the total story.
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The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you right this moment’s most enjoyable/vital/scary/fascinating tales about know-how.
1 Mark Zuckerberg apologized to households harmed by social media
Beneath some duress, throughout a Senate grilling. (WP $)
+ X boss Linda Yaccarino acknowledges that the platform wants extra moderators. (Wired $)
+ TikTok’s Singaporean CEO was grilled at size, however not about baby security. (Motherboard)
+ Dramatic moments had been in plentiful provide through the listening to. (NY Magazine $)
+ Youngster on-line security legal guidelines will truly damage children, critics say. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
2 Autonomous automotive agency Cruise is hemorrhaging cash
To the tune of just about $3.5 billion final 12 months alone. (WP $)
+ What’s subsequent for robotaxis in 2024. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
Three Hackers spied on critics of Jordan utilizing NSO Group’s spyware and adware
In a concerted marketing campaign concentrating on journalists, activists, and attorneys. (Bloomberg $)
four AI startups are placing themselves up on the market
They’re extremely costly to run, and elevated competitors has small companies clamoring to be acquired. (The Info $)
+ One rising startup has ambitions of difficult Google’s search dominance. (NYT $)
+ Make no mistake—AI is owned by Huge Tech. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
5 Amazon may quickly be chargeable for the protection of third-party merchandise
A proposed US authorities order may reclassify it from a retailer to a distributor. (WSJ $)
6 Ovaries could supply clues on methods to prolong our lifespans
Pay attention up, longevity bros. (FT $)
+ Contained in the billion-dollar assembly for the mega-rich who wish to dwell without end. (MIT Expertise Evaluate)
7 Product placement is getting an AI-powered makeover
It’s a sneaky new method of getting merchandise in entrance of eyeballs outdoors of conventional adverts. (NYT $)
+ TikTok could possibly be about to lose a significant chunk of its music catalog. (Wired $)
eight Life is imitating artwork for Ukraine’s online game makers
Apocalyptic survival sport Stalker 2: Coronary heart of Chernobyl has a brand new resonance for its creators. (The Guardian)
9 The Solar’s magnetic poles are about to reverse 
And communication satellites and our power grid again on Earth is prone to disruption. (Vox)
+ LED lights are contributing to an entire lot of sunshine air pollution. (The Atlantic $)
10 Easy methods to inform if we’re residing in a simulation or not
Simulated and pretend will not be the identical factor. (Ars Technica)
Quote of the day
“Your product is killing folks.”
—US Senator Josh Hawley rounds on Fb boss Mark Zuckerberg throughout a Senate listening to on baby security, the New York Occasions experiences.
The large story
Authorities know-how is famously dangerous. It doesn’t must be.
October 2023
It’s a actuality of politics that’s typically neglected: as soon as a legislation is handed, it must evolve from an concept right into a plan with a finances and employees, and from there it wants to really attain the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals. Transferring from coverage to implementation has at all times been a tough a part of governing. At present it’s straightforward to imagine know-how could make it simpler. However is that really true?
New York Metropolis is one thing of a check lab for methods to confront some large issues that plague the trendy state. And it’s discovering that typically the options are surprisingly low-tech. Learn the total story.
—Tate Ryan-Mosley
We are able to nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre instances. (Acquired any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Crime Pays However Botany Doesn’t is a unbelievable identify for a YouTube channel.
+ It’s referred to as the world’s best stretch for a purpose.
+ Street tripping in Saudi Arabia seems suitably surreal.
+ Cease placing it off: right here’s methods to declutter your house, room by room.
+ What can’t The Bear actor Jeremy Allen White dwell with out? Short-term tattoos, apparently.